De Jong starts for Ajax against Juventus

Frenkie de Jong has been passed fit to start for Ajax in the second leg of their finely poised Champions League quarter-final tie against Juventus.

The talented midfielder arrived in Turin under an injury cloud after hurting his hamstring at the weekend, but Erik ten Hag has gambled on the 21-year-old’s fitness.

His availability leaves suspended left-back Nicolas Tagliafico as the only man missing from the side that earned a 1-1 first-leg draw in Amsterdam, with Noussair Mazraoui stepping in for the visitors.

Massimiliano Allegri, meanwhile, has opted for Paulo Dybala over the in-form Moise Kean as injured striker Mario Mandzukic’s replacement.

Argentina forward Dybala joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Federico Bernardeschi in a three-pronged attack and will wear the captain’s armband at Allianz Arena.

Giorgio Chiellini is also unavailable through injury, but Emre Can is back from an ankle problem to bolster the Bianconeri’s midfield.

TEAM NEWS: Dybala, Ronaldo & Bernardeschi all start for Juventus; Mazraoui replaces the suspended Tagliafico at left-back for Ajax.#UCL pic.twitter.com/d6hZzEXLs8

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 16, 2019